McLaren

All posts in “McLaren”

2019 McLaren Senna

Successor to the P1, Tribute to a Legend

When it was first unveiled in late 2017, the Senna proclaimed itself as the ultimate street-legal McLaren. We can go back as early as the 1990s when tracing the Senna’s lineage, with the McLaren F1 pioneering the first production car with full carbon-fibre construction. More than two decades later, its predecessor – the McLaren P1 – gave the British automaker a refreshed sense of supremacy with its redesigned flagship car.

Fast forward into the current era of automobiles, and the Senna epitomizes a collaboration of the latest and greatest technologies, while paying tribute to a legend of the past – not so much to a car, as much as it is to a driver; none other than the late F1 driver Aryton Senna. The Brazilian’s namesake is shared with the car as a salute to his tenure as a McLaren Formula One driver. Though he is not with us anymore, one would be confident stating in his place that this is an automobile that Mr. Senna would be proud to have named after him.

2019 McLaren Senna

The McLaren Senna is the pinnacle of McLaren performance. It combines the three principal matters of a high performance vehicle – aerodynamics, chassis and power – in an unrivaled manner. As a purpose-built track car, it still manages to be road-legal; but don’t expect to have a chance encounter with it at any race tracks or on the street.

Due to its spartan interior and physically demanding nature, the car precludes mostly any sense of ‘daily use’ and will require an experienced and capable driver behind the wheel to push the car over seven-tenths on a road course. The car is also a bit of a unicorn with all 500 units having been spoken for.

With a starting price of $959,000 USD – for better or for worse – we are all unlikely to see owners braving the perils of a potential trackday incident or a fender bender in a mall parking lot. The cars are inevitable collectors items, and will be mainly limited to brief cameos at posh private gatherings and events, while their value continues to appreciate.

McLaren’s marketing team accurately sums things up, stating “The McLaren Senna is the personification of McLaren’s DNA at its most extreme, creating the purest connection between car and driver. It is the most track-focused road car we have ever built, and it will set the fastest lap times of any McLaren to date. That is what has driven us to build a track car that is unashamedly without compromise. One that is legalised for road use, but not sanitised to suit it. Nothing else matters but to deliver the most intense driving experience around a circuit.”

Features & Highlights

Engine and Performance

The McLaren Senna is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine which produces 789-horsepower @ 7,250 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. With its lightweight and mid-engined-rear-wheel-drive layout, the Senna predictably provides its occupants with head banging acceleration via its 7-speed SSG dual clutch transmission.

While characteristically high revving in nature, the car still packs plenty of punch in the lower range as it surges forward towards peak power in a linear (not to be mistaken as boring) manner. With launch control enabled, the rear-driven car is able to achieve 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.8 seconds, and complete the ¼ mile in 9.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 211 mph.

Chassis, Design and Aerodynamics

With its dry weight of just 2,641 pounds, the Senna is the lightest production car McLaren has made since the F1. At the core of this ultra lightweight design is McLaren’s state-of-the-art carbon fiber Monocage III chassis. This is an improvement over the Monocage II version used in the 720S thanks in part to a repositioning of woven, stitched, and sheet-molded sections which provide the chassis with strength, rigidity, and lightweightedness while providing the canvas for the exterior design elements required for the flagship hypercar.

Speaking of such design elements, we can refer primarily to the Senna’s aerodynamics. Having the luxury of direct access to a world leader in aerodynamics – McLaren’s F1 Team – it’s no surprise to see many of their technologies amalgamate with their production vehicles. The Senna is equipped with an active aerodynamics system which can produce up to 1,764 pounds of downforce at 155 mph.

With the help of elements such as an enormous rear wing, rear diffuser and an array of ducts and splitters, the Senna generates 40% more downforce than the P1 model it replaces. “The advantage a road car has over a racecar that has to conform to a rulebook is that we can use active aerodynamics,” Ian Howshall, McLaren’s Product Manager for the Ultimate Series explained.

Even under the most extreme g-force inducing situations – such as threshold braking at high speeds – the active aerodynamics ensures the car remains balanced by tempering the undesirable effects of significant weight transfer. In this scenario, downforce over the front axle is reduced while downforce over the rear axle sees a large relative increase. “Our computer controlled active aero will take care of this with precisely the right amount of transfer.” The mapping will also alter the downforce going into, through and out of a bend, optimizing stability and mechanical grip on the driven rear wheels”, Mr. Howshall iterates.

The Senna is the beneficiary of equally impressive suspension technology thanks to McLaren’s RaceActive Chassis Control II suspension, which has evolved from the P1’s setup. This suspension links the dampers laterally and longitudinally to manage both roll and heave. The system also lowers the car closer to the road in Race mode; by 1.5 inches in the front axle and 1.2 inches in the rear. Making contact with the tarmac are Pirelli Super Trofeo R tires (245/35/19 in front and 315/30/20 in the rear), while six-pot monobloc alloy calipers and carbon ceramic discs provide enough stopping power to bring the Senna to a standstill from 124 mph in just 100 meters.

In contrast to its extroverted exterior, the interior is notably spartan and stripped down to accommodate less in order to get more. “Less” in this case would be refinement and comfort, and “more” would be unadulterated performance. Depending on where you order your car, you will be provided with either a left or right hand drive configuration – McLaren decided to go this route in spite of some earlier prototypes having a centrally located drivers seat, like the McLaren F1.

Verdict

Hypercars in general are difficult to compare anything else to, as they are by nature, cars that effectively create and exist in their own class. The McLaren Senna is no exception, and even though other hypercars such as the Bugatti Divo make claim to being a “rival” of sorts, the Senna remains in a league of its own.

In my opinion, if anything were to rival the Senna, it would come from within McLaren’s own lineup. The 600LT is widely perceived to offer a large majority of the Senna’s performance and characteristics at a fraction of the cost, while the 720S is the pragmatist’s choice when it comes to having the best all-around car.

In spite of the McLaren Senna’s unworldly performance, it is not the car you would get for its bang-for-buck or inherent value. The car will be owned by those where money is no factor, and ultimately it is destined to become more of a status symbol – with the goods to back up its claims but rarely with an opportunity to display its true power.

As the halo car for one of the world’s leading supercar producers, this is perfectly fine as the Senna fulfills its purpose of being the conduit which broadcasts very explicitly, McLaren’s prowess to the rest of the automotive world.

Specifications and Performance Summary

Model & Price Info

Make	McLaren
Model	Senna
Generation	Ultimate Series
Car type	Coupe
Category	Series Production Car
Built At	Woking, UK
Introduced	2019
Base Price (US)	$959,000
Units built	500

Chassis, Suspension & Powertrain

Curb Weight (Dry Weight)	2,850 lbs (2,641 lbs)
Layout	Mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
Body / Frame	Carbon fiber Monocage III monocoque, with aluminium front and rear crash structures
Suspension	RaceActive Chassis Control II suspension w/ Normal, Sport and Race modes.
Steering	Electro-hydraulic; power-assisted
Brakes	Carbon Ceramic Discs, Monobloc 6-pot Alloy Calipers
Tires	Pirelli Super Trofeo R Front: 245/35/R19; Rear: 315/30/R20
Transmission	7 Speed SSG. Normal, Sport and Race modes

Engine & Output

Engine	V8
Displacement (Litres)	4.0L
Position	Longitudinal
Aspiration	Twin-turbocharged, intercooled
Power (hp)	789 hp @ 7,250 rpm
Power (hp) / litre	197.25 hp / litre
Power (hp) / weight	0.28 hp / lbs
Torque	590 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
Average Fuel Consumption	17 mpg

Performance, Acceleration & Braking Stats

Top speed	211 mph
0 – 60 mph	2.6 s
0 – 62 mph	2.8 s
0 – 100 mph	5.1 s
¼ mile (standing)	9.8 s
124 mph – 0	100 m

2019 McLaren Senna Image Gallery

Video Reviews and Promotions

[embedded content][embedded content][embedded content][embedded content][embedded content]

February 2, 2019 / Comments Off

848

Hennessey Creates 800hp McLaren 600LT

Hennessey have proven once again that they can turn their hand to anything. Their latest release is a McLaren 600LT which gets a fresh performance boost with an 800 hp HPE800 package. Few details have been unveiled about what the package includes, however, Hennessey have shared these photos.

Hennessey are no strangers to the McLaren brand. The company has worked on the 570S before, offering a range of performance upgrades, stainless steel exhaust pipes, new wheels and more. They have always remained tight-lipped about what the modifications entail, the packages do not seem as extreme as what the company offers for the Huracan.

Hennessey McLaren 600LT

An 800 hp performance package works out at an impressive 200 hp increase over the standard production model. To achieve this, Hennessey would likely need to modify the turbocharger system together with the ECU and its more normal exhaust and air flow enhancements.

The standard 600LT can hit 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 200 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. With an additional 200 hp, the performance potential seems scarcely believable. With the limited production of the LT compared to the 570S, we imagine that Hennessey will find less of a market for its upgrades. Yet, it strikes us that, combined with the weight losses of the MSO ClubSport package, this might just represent one of the most cost-effective ways to keep up with a hypercar!

January 30, 2019 / Comments Off

615

McLaren Applied Technologies Envisions the Future of F1 in 2050

Things Could Get Weird

Looking like a mashup of TRON and every futuristic racing video game you can imagine, McLaren Applied Technologies has a vision for F1 racing in 2050. It is nothing if not exciting. The company talked with fans, racecar drivers, engineers, and others intimately involved in Formula 1 racing to create a vision of the future for the sport.

McLaren chose 2050 as the year to focus on. It chose that because 2050 marks 100 years for F1 racing. The car that the company came up with is called the MCLExtreme. The car has an open-wheel design and includes a driver, but uses futuristic technology. That tech includes shapeshifting active aerodynamics, an onboard advanced AI co-pilot, all-electric powertrain with 500 km/h inductive charging, autonomous and mixed reality technology and a whole lot more.

[embedded content]

McLaren noted that a car could even steal electrical energy from the car ahead of it. That would further enhance race strategy for the drivers and their racing teams. The company sees the future of the sport shifting from how to get the most out of the stored power, to how to maximize the power itself.

McLaren says cars of the future may still use actual plug-in charging tech to get to full charge. However, at least some of the charging will be wireless. Additionally, the company says the cars themselves could glow the color of the driver’s emotions and the tires could be self-repairing.

It Won’t Just Be the Cars

The tracks will change too. Fans expressed a want for longer and wider tracks with steep banking. McLaren thinks this will come to fruition by 2050. With the popularity of street races, the company thinks smart cities with banked streets will be the future.

=McLaren Applied Technologies 2050 racetrack — Image from McLaren Applied Technologies

“Smart cities will give us the chance to put the track action on people’s doorsteps,” said Rodi Basso, Motorsport Director at McLaren Applied Technologies. “We’re going to see more racing take place where the fans are, as part of a continued effort to bring the show to them…”

It’s clear that the future of F1 is full of possibilities. I highly doubt all the things McLaren envisions will come true. 2050, like it or not is not that far away, and the company is talking seriously large-scale changes. While technology moves fast, I doubt it will move this fast.

Maybe this is more like 2100 instead of 2050. With that said, we’re seeing the beginnings of this technology already added to cars, and it could be the future of F1. I just think it’s unlikely for changes like this to hit in only a little more than 30 years time.

January 24, 2019 / Comments Off

740

McLaren 720S Spa 68 Collection Celebrates Bruce McLaren’s Legacy

Only Three Cars Will be Made

To commemorate 50 years since Bruce McLaren secured the first Grand Prix victory for McLaren, the company will build a limited edition 720S Spa 68 Collection model. McLaren Brussels commissioned only three of the cars, and no more will be built.

Built by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the cars get several special touches that identify them as part of the Spa Collection. All three of the cars will feature a Bespoke Anniversary Orange paint job to match the car that won the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

The seats have the racetrack outline embroidered on the headrests. The racetrack outline is also featured in front of the rear wheel arch. Carbon fiber sill covers feature the words “1st McLaren F1 victory Belgian Grand Prix 9th June 1968 – Bruce McLaren” on them. The ignition key also pays homage with bespoke keys painted in the same color as the rest of the car and “Spa 68” text.

Additionally, the car features MSO five-spoke lightweight wheels painted satin black. This contrasts from the bright orange paint job. Inside, there’s McLaren Orange contrast stitching to give the car plenty of visual flare inside the cabin. From a performance standpoint, McLaren did not alter the cars.

Bruce McLaren’s win in 1968 was the start of McLaren’s motorsport history as a true contender. The win in 1968 was actually Bruce McLaren’s fourth Formula 1 victory, but it was the first in his own car with his fledgling team. That win set McLaren on the right track. Since then, the team would go on to win eight World Constructors’ Championships and 12 World Drivers’ Championships.

The Spa 68 Collection cars were available from McLaren Brussels. However, at the time of McLaren’s press release, two of them already had buyers. The third is likely to follow suit if it has not already.

January 4, 2019 / Comments Off

662

McLaren shows off personalization options for the Speedtail

The entire McLaren Speedtail production run has been spoken for, and McLaren wants to make sure no two Speedtails are exactly the same. A wide range of personalization options is offered to the 106 clients that have put down a deposit for the upcoming “Hyper-GT,” and McLaren has now disclosed how it plans to make the cars unique. The 250-mph 1050-horsepower gasoline-hybrid cars will be available from early 2020 on, so there’s a year’s time to configure them according to one’s taste. The supercar maker has recently showed off some of its special editions, and the Speedtail configuration options follow in the same exquisite vein.

First of all, there are three style collections, which themselves have been divided into different themes depending of the customer’s needs. The main collections are called Urbane, Visionary and Dynamic: the first of them is a subdued and sophisticated setting, the second a more striking and vibrant one, and the third a more futuristic one. The Urbane trim level includes the Stratosphere theme that shows off the car in “gloss 1k visual carbon fiber,” the highlights of which are accentuated by a “contour pack” and anodized aluminum brightwork.

The Visionary trim’s Astral theme mainly features navy blue in various ways, contrasting with the car’s silver-striped orange bodywork, again complete with glossy carbon fiber but now with white gold. As for the Dynamic collection, it can be tied in with the Bloodline theme, which combines a red car with a red driver seat but with aniline passenger seats, highlighting the central throne.

There are countless ways to option the 106 cars’ surfaces and features, especially when McLaren’s MSO division is added to the table. McLaren also reminds that there are options such as electro-chromatic window tints that function as sun visors, or that one can add more carbon or white gold if desired.

Related Video:

December 28, 2018 / Comments Off

768

McLaren P1 GTR Senna tribute car built by MSO as the ultimate P1

McLaren just finished what looks to be one of its most incredible MSO (McLaren Special Operations) projects ever with a P1 GTR. As is obvious in the photos, this P1 GTR is meant to celebrate the McLaren MP4/4 F1 car Ayrton Senna raced to complete dominance in the 1988 championship season.

There is no shortage of Senna projects going on over at McLaren, clearly. This car has been in the works for three years running, along with McLaren’s actual car, the Senna. Don’t be confused, however, this is a one-off P1 GTR that a McLaren collector/Ayrton fan commissioned to be built. The livery isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from other P1 GTRs either. McLaren says this car has a unique engine specification. Its heat shield is made out of 24 carat gold; the rear cover is made out of Lexan (type of plastic) and it has modified engine bay shrouds. We’re not told how much more power it makes, but apparently it’s more than the 986 horses in your standard P1 GTR.

This Senna fan managed to wrangle the McLaren engineers into designing him a bespoke aero package for the car too. It has new front dive planes, a wider front splitter, Gurney flap, new barge boards and bigger endplates on the rear wing. Even more downforce is generated by inboard secondary wing elements. A “normal” P1 GTR produces 1,433 pounds of downforce, but this car brings that up to a whopping 1,763 pounds. Yeah, it’s going to stick just fine.

The design and customization on this car is pretty next-level. McLaren Rocket red and Anniversary white are the same color codes used on the F1 car. Both doors have the Marlboro barcode that was used in lieu of Marlboro script when regulations changed to bar that sort of advertising. Senna branding is all over the thing, everywhere you look. The seats are actually the same ones McLaren used in the Senna (actual car) itself. Yeah, there’s a whole lot of Senna going on here.

With the unbelievable attention to detail and expense that went into this car, we wonder what the owner’s plans are for it. Will it live at the track (we hope) as the extra power and aero suggests? Or is this something to be put away in a collection because it’s just too freaking special? Call it a good problem to have. This thing is awesome.

Related video:

December 20, 2018 / Comments Off

746

McLaren 720S Spider debuts with new roof, colors, glass flying buttresses

McLaren Automotive’s special gift to attendees at the company’s Winter Ball was the reveal of the 720S Spider. Coming about 18 months after the launch of the 720S Coupe, McLaren has made a few specific changes compared to the hardtop, like frameless doors and new rear spoiler programming, along with wide improvements over the last Super Series roadster, the 650S Spider.

The carbon Monocage II tub in the fixed-roof 720S becomes the Monocage II-S in the Spider. Even though the tub discards the overhead spine, new carbon supports at the tub’s rear return the lost rigidity. The 650S used steel supports fitted into its Monocage; switching to carbon means saving 15 pounds in the rollover protection structure compared to the predecessor car. The Monocage II-S needs no extra strengthening elsewhere, keeping the slim A-pillars and header rail of the 720S.

A new hardtop mechanism operates the standard all-carbon-fiber roof. Electrically instead of hydraulically actuated, the mechanism is another source of weight loss and performance gain. The motors raise and lower the roof in 11 seconds, at speeds up to 31 miles per hour. The operation happens six seconds faster than on the 650S Spider, at a top speed 13 mph higher.

[embedded content]

The rear end’s carbon fiber deck has been redesigned to stow the roof, leaving a two-square-foot cubby underneath for luggage when the roof is up. To maximize visibility to the rear-three-quarter, McLaren made the buttresses extending from the roll hoops to the fenders out of glazed glass. Customers wanting more visibility skyward can order an electrochromic glass roof that tints or goes all clear with a button push. Kitted out so, the glass top tints automatically when the car’s turned off, then returns to its last setting upon restart.

The M840T 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 possesses familiar gumption here, being 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. McLaren redrew the underfloor aero and tuned the rear spoiler to manage the Spider’s unique airflow. Because the 720S Spider puts on just 108 pounds more than the coupe, performance varies by only a tenth of a second in some cases. The 0-60 dash transpires in 2.8 seconds, the top speed clocks in at 212 mph, both the same as the coupe. Gunning on to 124 mph takes 7.9 seconds, the quarter-mile needs 10.4 seconds, both times a tenth more than the coupe. Lowering the roof panel shaves ten mph from terminal velocity.

The carmaker crows that the 720S Spider’s 2,937-pound dry weight makes the vehicle 194 pounds lighter than the “dry weight of its closest competitor,” with a certain Maranello offering filling in that blank.

Available in standard, Performance, and Luxury trims, Belize Blue and Aztec Gold join the color range, as does the Heritage hue Supernova Silver, which first appeared on the MP4-12C. The 20-inch, 10-spoke lightweight wheels also debut.

The configuration and order pages are open now, deliveries start in March 2019. If you want to join the 720S Spider’s topless party, you’ll need $315,000 to get in the door, about $26,000 more than the coupe.

Related Video:

December 9, 2018 / Comments Off

732

Supercars.Net’s Comprehensive Guide To The 2019 McLaren 600LT

Introduction

It is by no means a stretch to say that when McLaren releases a new car, that car becomes the best they have ever made. The British supercar maker has an impeccable track record in this regard, thanks in huge part to its unclouded focus on producing only exotic sports cars; no dubious SUVs, no ornate saloons, no cumbersome grand tourers – only performance-extraordinaire.

The new 600LT is based on the McLaren 570S, and is the latest rendition of the “Longtail” Sports Series cars, hence the moniker. Essentially, the 600LT is designed to possess nearly 3 inches longer of aerodynamic bodywork and is given a slight power bump, weight reduction, and other performance upgrades. While these changes may appear to be rudimentary, the intricacies of each improvement sum up to make the 600LT a car in its own right.

In fact, the McLaren 600LT is considered by many to be gateway car to the top of the line Senna, providing drivers with the sensation of its driving dynamics, at one-quarter of its price. After all, upgrades such as the electric vacuum pump and carbon bucket seats, are borrowed from the Senna.

If we were to create a reference point for this car – in a comprehensive line up of McLaren sports cars, exotics and halos – the 600LT would be more akin to a Senna-lite than a 570S-plus. With a base price of $242,500 USD, eyebrows will certainly be raised; not for its outright price, but for its inherent value considering what you get for that kind of money.

These credentials certainly put the 600LT in the running to be the ‘best McLaren ever made’.

Engine & Performance

At the heart of the McLaren 600LT is an evolved version of the 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8 found in the 570S. An extra 30-horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque are wrung out this industrious engine, bringing the 600LT’s final figures to 592-horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Not an astronomical change by any means, which gives you the hint that this relatively modest, but important upgrade is a part of something greater and is nothing to balk at.

This boost in power along with a more instant throttle response is greatly attributed to its shortened exhaust which greatly reduces back pressure. Inspired by the Senna, this exhaust is actually even shorter and more extreme than the one used by its role model.

Delivering the power to the wheels is a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. While the transmission is a robust unit which slots into each gear like a race car, its overall brutality in doing so precludes it from any sense of refinement at lower speeds where drivers will experience some jerkiness.

Overall the numbers are ultimately impressive, with the McLaren 600LT achieving a power-to-weight ratio of 481-horsepower per tonne (with every weight reduction option added) and a 0-62 mph time of 2.9 seconds.

Chassis & Handling

It is in these areas of the car where the more significant changes were made over the 570S. No consideration was spared with particular regards to weight reduction, braking, and suspension. At the heart of it all is McLaren’s carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis and lightweight aluminum body panels.

Naturally, a carbon fiber diet is a huge part of the order with new sport bucket seats, and much of the front and rear bodywork made of the lightweight good stuff. Other servings such as new 10-spoke ultra-light wheels, A/C delete, a stainless steel top exit exhaust and suspension components borrowed from the 720S, combine for over 96 kg in extracted mass. This is quite significant in the grand scheme of things, considering that the 570S was no porker, to begin with, and now has a more powerful engine to boot.

The 600LT has a wider track and lower ride height than the car it has now become loosely based on. Thanks to components such as redesigned dampers with forged double wishbones, upgraded anti-roll bars, and firmer engine mounts, the car has become lighter, stiffer and more precise in its handling. Spring rates have been increased 13 percent in the front and 34 percent in the rear, though McLaren insists that streetability and comfort in this regard have not been compromised.

The standard carbon-ceramic brakes are borrowed from the 720S, measuring 390mm and 380mm and accompanied by six-piston and four-piston aluminum calipers in the front and rear respectively.

This braking system is a perfect match for the Pirelli Trofeo Tires which should instill an extraordinary level of confidence in the driver. The overall transformation of the chassis allows the car to change direction and speed with such favorable track manners, making for a more balanced vehicle than the 720S, and a less overwhelming machine than the halo Senna. It remarkably gives you the best of both worlds, or more accurately, the best in one McLaren.

Design, Styling & Interior

The most notable design cue in the 600LT would likely be the exhaust exits at the top of the engine cover, rather than through the rear bumper. Far from just being a crowd pleaser, this setup also saves weight and allows room for a larger rear diffuser which works in conjunction with the rest of the car’s aero pieces to produce over 220 pounds of downforce at 155 mph.

McLaren was preemptive in cooling any areas of concern, quite literally, by coating the rear wing in a ceramic material which deflects heat – very necessary as that area of the car can get as hot as 210 degrees Celsius when the exhaust is on full blast. A more aggressive front splitter, side skirts and “aero planes” more efficiently channel airflow across the body and assist with downforce.

With weight reduction being a key design philosophy for the 600 LT, amenities such as A/C, interior carpeting and a sound system are forgone; they can be added as no-cost options. Should buyers opt for such practicalities, they would have to do with about 16 kg of added weight. To offset some of this weight, or take the base car to the next stage, the MSO (McLaren Special Operations) Clubsport Pack adds a carbon fibre roof and fenders, titanium wheel lugs, the same bucket seats used in the Senna, and other lightweight fixtures which altogether cost $25,000 USD and shed around 5 kg.

The McLaren 600LT with every lightweight option fitted, measures in at just 1,247 kg.

Pricing

Base price of the 2019 McLaren 600LT is $242,500 USD and should be well within the $300k mark even when specced with some of the pricier options.

This means that in terms of pricing, the 600LT slots in between the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the Lamborghini Huracan Performante – both naturally aspirated cars. For buyers who have a soft spot for high revving turbo-less engines, both those cars may become tough competitors.

The GT3 RS can be had for $40k less. Although the Porsche may lack the wow-factor of the more exotic 600LT, this is something that can be remedied by spending an extra $30k for the V10 Lamborghini.

At the end of the day, it is no secret that McLaren’s Sport Series range of cars, which now includes the new 600LT, can tussle with cars that are well above its price point – even within the McLaren line-up. In current times, this includes the likes of the Ferrari 488 GTB, the aforementioned Lamborghini Huracan Performante and McLaren’s own 720S and million-dollar Senna, which it mimics with considerable veracity.

For those who know exactly what they want in a car, the McLaren 600LT would be a bargain if all the right boxes are checked; and considering everything the car has to offer compared to its competition.

Performance & Specifications Summary

Model & Price Info

Make	McLaren
Model	600LT
Generation	Sport Series
Sub-Model	Longtail
Car type	Coupe
Category	Series Production Car
Built At	Woking, UK
Introduced	2019
Base Price (US)	$242,500
Base Price (UK)	£185,500
Units built	TBD

Chassis, Suspension & Powertrain

Curb Weight	1,356 kg (2,989 lbs)
Layout	Mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
Body / Frame	Carbon fibre MonoCell II monocoque, with aluminium front and rear crash structures
Suspension	Independent adaptive dampers, dual aluminium wishbones. Normal, Sport and Track modes
Steering	Electro-hydraulic; power-assisted
Brakes	Carbon Ceramic Discs (390mm front; 380mm rear); Aluminium Calipers (6-piston front; 4-piston rear)
Tires	Pirelli P-ZERO™ Trofeo R (P-ZERO™ no-cost option) Front: 225/35/R19; Rear: 285/35/R20
Transmission	7 Speed SSG. Normal, Sport and Track modes

Engine & Output

Engine	V8
Displacement (Litres)	3.8L
Position	Longitudinal
Aspiration	Twin-turbocharged, intercooled
Power (hp)	592 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Power (hp) / litre	155.8 hp / litre
Power (hp) / weight	0.44 hp / kg
Torque	457 lb-ft @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
Average Fuel Consumption	11.7 L/100 km (combined)

Performance, Acceleration & Braking Stats

Top speed	204 mph
0 – 60 mph	2.8 s
0 – 62 mph	2.9 s
0 – 124mph	8.2 s
0 – 186mph	24.9 s
¼ mile (standing)	10.4 s
124 mph – 0	384 ft
62 mph – 0	102 ft

Gallery & Videos

Image Gallery

McLaren has taken the 570S to the next level, with some reimagined design elements to set the 600LT apart from its donor. Weight savings, aerodynamics, cooling and a bit of showmanship are all emphatically bundled into this package.

In my opinion, the McLaren 600LT’s extroverted looks are as beautiful as they are functional – making for a car that radiates the pinnacle of McLaren’s current offerings.

Video Review Gallery

Here are some YouTube video reviews from some of my favorite car reviewers and auto personalities. All of them provide feedback from an “everyday guy” perspective – but aren’t afraid to thrash the car around a racetrack when given the opportunity – providing commentary that is both technical and easy to absorb.

First up is Top Gear Magazine’s Jack Rix, providing his expert opinion on the 600LT. He goes into detail about what makes this car so great.

[embedded content]Next, Steve Sutcliffe from Auto Express takes the 600LT around the Hungaroring GP circuit. It is clear that he thinks that this car is something quite special.

[embedded content]

Here we have Carfection’s Henry Catchpole having a chance to take the McLaren 600LT on the track in Portugal. His commentary is both technical and emotionally engaging.
[embedded content]

Last but not least is McLaren’s beautifully cinematic official ad for the car.

[embedded content]

Original Press Release

World debut for new McLaren 600LT at Goodwood Festival of Speed, plus full technical details and new images of the quickest, most extreme road-legal Sports Series McLaren

11 Jul 2018

The lightest, most powerful and quickest road-legal Sports Series McLaren makes its world dynamic debut on July 12 in the UK, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
600PS and 620Nm ensures blistering acceleration: 0-100km/h (62mph) is the equal of a McLaren 675LT at 2.9 seconds (0-60mph in 2.8 seconds); 0 – 200km/h (124mph) in just 8.2 seconds
New aerodynamic carbon fiber bodywork – including front splitter, side sills, extended diffuser, and fixed rear wing – contributes to 100kg of downforce at 250km/h (155mph)
100kg lighter* than 570S Coupé DIN kerbweight, with a lightest dry weight of 1,247kg giving a power-to-weight ratio of 481PS/tonne
Optional Clubsport and Clubsport Pro packs available from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) for even lighter weight and more track-focused features
Nearly a quarter of McLaren 600LT parts new compared to McLaren 570S Coupé, including unique top-exit exhaust system and two all-new, ultra-lightweight alloy wheel designs
Forged aluminum double wishbone suspension derived from the McLaren Super Series combines with stiffer anti-roll bars and an 8mm reduction in ride height to help deliver enhanced dynamic performance and new heights of driver engagement
Bespoke Pirelli P Zero™ Trofeo R tires work in harmony with increased downforce to generate circuit cornering speeds that exceed those of a McLaren 675LT
Latest-generation lightweight brake calipers, carbon ceramic discs and a McLaren Senna-inspired brake booster ensure precise pedal feel and phenomenal stopping power: 200km/h to standstill in just 117 meters
600LT opens next chapter in the McLaren ‘Longtail’ (LT) story; production volume strictly limited
Available to order now, priced from £185,500 with taxes (UK), which includes** a Pure McLaren Road Owner Track Day experience with driver training

The quickest, most powerful and most track-focused – yet road legal – Sports Series McLaren will make its dynamic world debut tomorrow (July 12) at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The arrival of the new 600LT, which is built to excel on roads and race circuits alike, marks both the beginning of the next chapter in the McLaren ‘Longtail’ (LT) story and the setting of a new benchmark for super-sportscar performance.

“The new McLaren 600LT is our most extreme road-legal Sports Series model and possesses the optimized aerodynamics, increased power, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics and enhanced driver engagement that are the hallmarks of any McLaren LT. Only the fourth McLaren in more than two decades to be designated a ‘Longtail’, the 600LT redefines expectations of super-sportscar performance, delivering astonishing acceleration and outstanding track cornering speeds with a truly extraordinary dynamic connection between driver and car.”

Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

The new McLaren 600LT epitomizes the McLaren philosophy of producing lightweight super-sportscars that deliver extreme performance and are exceptionally rewarding to drive. With the engine management system of the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 recalibrated and less back pressure from a top-exit exhaust system that is even shorter and more extreme than that of the McLaren Senna allowing the engine to breathe more freely, the 600LT can call on peak power of 600PS (592bhp) at 7,500rpm and a maximum torque output of 620 Nm (457 lb ft) at 5,500-6,500rpm.

These outputs deliver astonishing levels of performance: 0-100km/h (62mph) takes just 2.9 seconds, matching the acceleration of the revered McLaren 675LT Super Series model. 0-200km/h (124mph) is achieved in a remarkable 8.2 seconds and the 600LT can continue gathering speed to a top speed of 328 km/h (204 mph).

Inspired by the renowned McLaren 675LT models and their iconic ‘Longtail’ McLaren F1 GTR racing predecessor, the new addition to the LT family has all the physical hallmarks of a true McLaren ‘Longtail’, including an extended front splitter, lengthened rear diffuser, fixed rear wing and elongated silhouette – in this case by 74mm compared to a McLaren 570S Coupé.

The unique bodywork optimizes aerodynamic performance, working in conjunction with the flat carbon fiber floor of the 600LT to produce the 100kg of downforce at 250km/h (155mph) that generates more grip and greater high-speed stability and is a significant contributor to the car’s excellence on a track.

Extensive use of carbon fiber – including for the monocoque chassis that is some 25 percent stiffer than a comparable aluminum chassis and for the new aerodynamic features– together with lightweight materials throughout the track-focused cockpit, helps the McLaren 600LT to achieve a lightest dry weight of 1,247kg and equivalent power-to-weight ratio of 481PS/tonne. With the optional Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats developed for the McLaren Senna fitted, the 600LT weighs 100kg less than a 570S Coupé – a remarkable reduction that delivers tangible benefits in every aspect of the car’s performance.

McLaren 600LT buyers wanting to go to another level of weight-saving can specify the MSO Clubsport or MSO Clubsport Pro packs from McLaren Special Operations. The MSO Clubsport Pack, which adds £24,170 to the price of a new 600LT, features the Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats; a Carbon Fibre Interior Upgrade that includes extended gearshift paddles and steering wheel spokes and switches and IRIS display surrounds in the lightweight material; Carbon Fibre Roof and Cantrails, Visual Carbon Fibre Fender Louvres in gloss finish; and titanium wheel bolts.

The MSO Clubsport Pro Pack, which adds an MSO Defined Harness Bar and 6-Point harness for track use, in either black, blue, red or McLaren Orange, is priced at £28,480. The Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats are available as a stand-alone option, costing £4,990.

The remit of any McLaren ‘Longtail’ model is to engage and excite to the absolute maximum, encouraging – and enabling – drivers to fully exploit the dynamic performance inherent in the car. The ethos underpinning every aspect of the development of the McLaren 600LT was, therefore, a determination to deliver the purest possible connection between car and driver.

To this end, the 600LT has lighter and stiffer suspension components from the McLaren 720S, the adoption of the forged aluminum double wishbones and uprights not only improving dynamic capabilities but also reducing weight by 10.2kg. Ride height is reduced by 8mm over other Sports Series models and front track is increased by 10mm, to deliver a more precise driving experience.

The independent, continuously variable adaptive dampers and front and rear anti-roll bars featuring on all McLaren Sports Series models have been retained but are significantly re-engineered to work with the new suspension geometry and create the track-focused performance demanded of the new 600LT.

The adoption of the braking system from the McLaren Super Series, which features lightweight aluminum calipers and stiffer carbon ceramic discs, reduces weight by 4kg, working in conjunction with an all-new brake booster developed using learnings from the McLaren Senna, the result is incredibly responsive and progressive pedal feel during braking and a 200km/h (124mph) to standstill distance of 117m – just 1m more than a McLaren P1™.

Two new designs of ultra-lightweight aluminum alloy wheels – 10-spoke as standard and a 5-spoke alternative as a £4,080 option – are the lightest wheels ever fitted to a Sports Series, the reduction in unsprung weight bringing a noticeable benefit to the dynamic qualities of the car.

Bespoke P Zero™ Trofeo R tires – developed with McLaren Technical Partner, Pirelli – feature for the first time on a Sports Series model and this unique track-focused tire is a crucial element in the enhanced dynamic abilities of the McLaren 600LT. Tuned to deliver the immediacy and steering feel for which McLaren is renowned, as well as excellent rear axle stability, the ultra-high-performance tire features a softer sidewall structure than is usual to improve compliance and so grip levels by ensuring the contact patch with the ground is maintained, even on less-than-perfect surfaces. By contrast, the belt construction of the Trofeo R tire is stiffer than on any previous Sports Series, to enhance lateral acceleration and improve cornering ability.

The cockpit of the McLaren 600LT exemplifies both weight reduction and a driver-focused environment. Lightweight Alcantara® trim material is used extensively throughout and the absence of carpet in the driver and passenger footwells and beneath the seats saves 5.7kg, while also exposing the carbon fiber beauty of the MonoCell II chassis construction.

The glovebox has been removed and the door pockets replaced with lightweight nets; air-conditioning, satellite navigation, and an audio system are all available as no-cost options, not being fitted as standard. Carbon fiber Racing Seats, first seen on the McLaren P1™ and subsequently used in the McLaren 675LT, are standard-fit and save a remarkable 21kg.

Production of the 600LT Coupé will begin in October 2018 and last for around 12 months, with build slots scheduled around existing Sports and Super Series models, as well as the sell-out Senna, Senna GTR and BP23. Availability will be strictly limited, the carbon fiber body panels that require specialist tooling just one of the reasons that the new ‘Longtail’ will be rarer than its Sports Series brethren. Available to order now from McLaren retailers – subject to availability – the 600LT Coupé is priced from £185,500 with taxes (UK), which includes** a Pure McLaren Road Owner Track Day at a race circuit, with expert driving tuition.

To discover more about the new McLaren 600LT, visit McLaren.

A film showing the car in action can be viewed here:
[embedded content]

Ends

* with optional Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats fitted

**Included in North America and European markets (including UK). Please confirm further details with a McLaren retailer.

Final Verdict

As my fellow Supercars.net colleague, Nick Dellis once remarked, “The world is full of armchair commentators when it comes to cars. At Supercars.net we have a number of journalists and automotive publications we rely on when we want to get unbiased opinions from people we admire.”

Below are snippets from some of our favorite car reviewers and automotive personalities regarding the McLaren 600LT. As always, we ask that you support the amazing publications they release, so that the automotive community continues to benefit from the hard work and enthusiasm they put into providing us with content that we love.

Evo – “More powerful, more raw, more pure – McLaren’s Sport Series at its best yet.” – 5/5

Adam Towler from Evo had high expectations going in, despite the 720S rewriting the supercar rulebook and being awarded ‘Evo Car of the Year’ in 2017. The 600 LT’s “increased focus on driver thrills might just make it our favorite McLaren yet.”, he says.

Direct comparisons to the car it is based on – the 570S – were always going to be made, and Adam remarks that “impressive as a 570 is, every aspect of that car feels tempered with a nod to usability. With the 600LT this restraint has been removed and you feel as if you are gaining access the Sports Series’ raw ingredients. There’s no hint of vagueness, of squidge and imprecision, instead, everything the 600LT does is ruthlessly, but delightfully, transparent and true.”

He goes on to summarize that based on its price and offerings compared to its competition, that “McLaren has, therefore, found a rather handy niche for the 600LT, and has filled it with an extremely desirable and capable supercar. ”

The Good

Natural, sharp and transparent driving connection
Beautifully balanced cornering attitude
Top-mounted exhaust that spits flames

The Bad

There’s nowhere to store your travel sweets
Almost too fast for the streets

More: Read full review

Motoring Research – “It’s very probably the best driver’s car of the year” – 5/5

Tim Pitt from Motoring Research was one of a few lucky journalists to track the 600LT on the Hungaroring. He can’t help but note that “Even for a supercar, it looks special. Forget the joy of specs for a moment: the 600LT looks sensational. From upwards-opening dihedral doors to an exuberant paint palette, its styling screams ‘supercar’. An Audi R8 seems plain by comparison.”

At the end of the day, Tim, who is an obvious Porsche fan and admits that “the obvious stumbling block here is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, with its equally talented chassis and fearsome, 9,000rpm flat-six.” However, he goes on to say “But since you can’t actually buy a ‘991.2’ RS unless you’re one of the favored few – or prepared to pay vastly over the odds – the McLaren claims victory by default. Well played Woking”.

The Good

Ultimate driver’s car
Special looks
Both agile and docile

The Bad

Rudimentary media system and creature comforts
Expensive options for a tiny bit of extra weight reduction

More: Read full review

Auto Express – “McLaren’s best road car yet” – 5/5

Steve Sutcliffe from Auto Express is another reviewer who believes that the 600LT is the best car McLaren has made to date.

“The new 600LT is sensational on a track and far sharper than the regular 570S. But it also appears typically usable and impressively civilized. While we’re yet to try the car on the road, it’s immediately obvious the 600LT is more than just a sometime track-day weapon. McLaren has hit the bullseye once again.”

The Good

Best McLaren road car ever made
Not too hardcore or over the top

The Bad

Could still be mistaken for a 570S from afar

More: Read full review

My Final Verdict – 5/5

There is no doubt that amongst contemporaries, the McLaren 600LT is quite simply the best McLaren road car, and arguably the best driver’s car on the market.

McLaren improves its remarkable track record of producing progressively better cars, with a focus on designing them to deliver at the highest echelons of performance while being refined enough for daily driving.

The McLaren 600LT does all that, pretty much to perfection. This is all without yet mentioning that with pricing considered, the 600LT can be likened to a giant-killer with its relatively modest costs, which allow it to punch above its weight class.

Perhaps the biggest compliment that is being paid to the 600LT is its likeness to the Senna – McLaren’s million-dollar halo car. The 600LT delivers the same driving dynamics and arguably more fun factor, at a third of the cost of the aforementioned. Knowing that someone would have spent a million-plus to keep up with you and have as much fun as you on the race track, says that this car is something quite groundbreaking indeed.

In my opinion, the McLaren 600LT is a car that is really going to shake up the $200,000-ish supercar segment. Competitors are going to have to step up their game and look very closely at their strategies if they don’t want McLaren to become the de facto car of choice for pragmatic supercar buyers. The McLaren 600LT might not just be the best McLaren ever made – it may also be the best supercar ever made.

Rivals

Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Ferrari 488 Pista
Mercedes AMG GTR
McLaren 720S
Porsche 911 GT3 RS

November 23, 2018 / Comments Off

808

McLaren Speedtail Begins One Year Testing Ahead of 2020 Deliveries

McLaren have officially begun testing the Speedtail. Photos released this weekend show the first prototype, nicknamed ‘Albert’, which will commence testing at a closed-facility and on public roads from December 2018.

The Speedtail was officially unveiled last month. The third model in McLaren’s Ultimate series, it intends to capture some of the magic of the McLaren F1. The first prototype has been codenames ‘Albert’, named after Albert Drive, Woking, Surrey, the road where the McLaren F1 designs were originally sketched. Internally, the prototype gets the designation MVY02 combining McLaren’s usual MV project initials with the letters Y0 which signify the lateral central point in the XYZ axis for Computer Aided Design.

The Speedtail will be tested in Europe, North America and Africa on a mixture of bespoke automotive test facilities and on public roads. With the Speedtail, McLaren are promising customers the most aerodynamic and luxurious McLaren to date. Albert gets a production-specification chassis and an, as yet, unspecified petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain.

The Speedtail will prove unique with a three-seat cockpit and central driving position. Power output will be 1,050 PS with performance potential of up to 403 km/h. Replacing Chris Goodwin as McLaren Automotive’s Chief Test Driver, Kenny Bräck will take care of most of the high speed testing. Those with a keen eye for detail will notice that the front end of this particular Speedtail is that of a 720S.

5 McLaren Speedtail mules exist, Albert is the sixth. The existing mules will continue development alongside Albert until customers take first deliveries in early 2020. 106 cars will be made available at a cost of £1.75 million (plus local taxes). All examples are sold out.

November 12, 2018 / Comments Off

610

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 v McLaren 570S Track Pack

[embedded content]

I am a big fan of Steve Sutcliff’s video reviews. He gets cars and you can tell just how genuinely excited he is to be behind the wheel. In this video he focuses on comparing the GT3 and the McLaren 570S Track Pack. It’s funny because we talk a lot about choosing cars here at Supercars.net and we often struggle with this very choice and whether McLaren can unseat the GT3 as our favorite all round car. Watch this video to find out.

November 8, 2018 / Comments Off

823

Introducing the New McLaren Speedtail: 250+ mph, 1000+ HP, $2.2M Pricetag. Wow.

Meet the new Speedtail – an aptly-named addition to McLaren’s Ultimate Series. This limited-edition car, of which only 106 examples will be built, represents McLaren’s unyielding pursuit of top-speed.

As of today, only three cars fall under McLaren’s Ultimate Series designation: the P1, the Senna, and now, the Speedtail. The Speedtail is also the first of 18 new models that McLaren intends to unveil between now and 2025.

Whereas other McLaren’s blend handling, acceleration, top speed, and driving dynamics in a harmonious package, the Speedtail has a more singular focus. And that focus is speed. Ludicrous amounts of it.

The Numbers

What we know so far:

Power: 1,035 horsepower from a yet-undisclosed hybrid powertrain
Top Speed: 250mph (or more)
Acceleration: 0-186mph (300 kph) in just 12.8 seconds.
Weight: Approximately 830 kg
Price: $2.2 million price tag
106 examples that are 100% sold

The Speedtail is a Blend of Sweeping Lines, Aggressive Bodywork, & Incredible Opulence

Exterior

Looks are subjective and because of that I rarely oogle or outright proclaim how good looking a thing is (especially a car). We all have our tastes.

But an exception must be made for this McLaren. It is simply gorgeous and awe-inspiring on its own right; even if I didn’t already know that it was a machine capable of reaching speeds that no sane person would dare take it, on looks alone that message would be received loud and clear.

It’s one of the few cars today that elicits an inherently emotional response. One replete with all the superlatives you can think of, and perhaps those wouldn’t be enough to do the Speedtail justice.

Its silhouette sweeps from the front of the car to the extended rear – a teardrop shape that is the key to its exceptional aerodynamics – with side accents that add an organic edge to its smooth profile. The front rims are enclosed – for maximum top-speed – while the rears remain exposed. The entire care oozes elegance, class, and barely-contained power that the lucky driver will be able to unleash.

The Speedtail features hidden door handles and dual rear ailerons that blend seamlessly into the bodywork. Panel gap tolerances of 1mm remove any visual break, resulting in a single smooth line that follows the car from head to tail.

This type of precision is possible thanks to new technology that incorporates flexible carbon fiber- the bodywork will move and bend with the car as it accelerates.

Because of this, there is no turbulent air. No drag. No loss of speed. No break for the eye to get distracted by.

That unleashing of power, by the way, will take place in ultimate luxury. Let’s look inside.

Interior

The cabin is perhaps the best example of luxurious minimalism taken to the nth degree. The center-aligned driver’s seat – reminiscent of the venerable F1 – gives the driver a commanding view of the road ahead. Slightly flanking the driver on either side are two passenger seats. The world’s fastest GT car is once again a three-seater.

McLaren has managed to pay homage to its past while demonstrating how the future should look and feel. Three big screens make up the majority of the dash, and bleeding-edge technology is seamlessly incorporated throughout the car. Even the windshield, which features an electrochromic top section that can dim on command, is an example of the technological ability of the Speedtail.

Long Live the Hyper GT

McLaren has labeled the Speedtail a Hyper GT, which seems fitting given the excess of the car and its abilities. This is a car that’ll take you to 250mph, and then to the Opera, on the same set of tires (to paraphrase McLaren spokesperson Wayne Bruce).

More than that, the Speedtail is a car that reminds us that the automotive world serves to inspire and excite us as much as it does to move us from one place to the next. Though, in the case of the Speedtail, it very much moves us.

Video Overview

Care of Carfection.

[embedded content]

Gallery

October 26, 2018 / Comments Off

889

McLaren Senna Crashes in Munich Shortly After Delivery

All of the downforce in the world would not have stopped this brand new McLaren Senna from crashing into a wall in Munich. The supercar looks to have been delivered on Saturday this week if a Facebook post made by McLaren Munich on Saturday is to be believed. The accident happened on Saturday, hours after deliver, in the Munich suburb of Grünwald.

The photos show the scene of the accident. Judging by the tyre marks left on the tarmac, it looks likely that the drive lost control of the rear end. The front seems to have buried itself in a wall although the extent of the damage is not known.

The driver of the car was said to be a 43 year old businessman from Grünwald. The car was said to have sent a signal to the dealership who were on hand within minutes to recover the car. It had less than 100 kilometres on the clock at the time of the accident, however, the damage is not thought to be severe enough to cause a write-off.

The McLaren Senna is a limited edition Ultimate Series McLaren. Just 500 will be produced and McLaren is currently working on delivering the production run to its customers. While it’s 800 hp twin-turbocharged V8 is impressive, it is in the handling department where the car really excels.

The Senna produces a staggering 800 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, making it a potent tool for the track. We drove it recently, read our review of the McLaren Senna by clicking the link. Rear the official details of the McLaren Senna by clicking through.

October 24, 2018 / Comments Off

749

McLaren upgrades 720S arsenal with a Track Pack Specification

Two years ago, McLaren Automotive permitted owners to sharpen the 570S coupe with a new Track Pack, which brought the added benefit of lopping 55 pounds off the already svelte two-door. The carmaker says 10 percent of buyers choose it. Earlier this year, the Track Pack migrated to the droptop 570S, eliminating 73 pounds of performance-blunting mass. With the 720S GT3 customer race car testing throughout Europe as you read this, McLaren has announced a Track Pack Specification for the 720S road car.

McLaren made the announcement in the UK, but the circuit bundle is certain to make its way here, following the previous two. When it does, you can also expect it to cost roughly the same as a decently powered track car. That’s because to get to the Track Pack, you first need to option the Performance Pack, which appends hood and rear fender intakes, carbon fiber exterior mirror caps, and ambient lighting in the engine bay.

Outside, the Track Pack combines the so-called “MSO Defined Gloss Finish Visual Carbon Fiber Active Rear Spoiler” with a sports exhaust and “super-lightweight” forged 10-spoke wheels. Inside, a pretzeled titanium bar spanning the cabin secures six-point harnesses for the driver and passenger lightweight carbon fiber racing seats. The driver grips an Alcantara-rimmed steering wheel, and the bespoke division puts its 18th-century-novel naming scheme to work again with the “MSO Defined Satin Visual Carbon Fiber Extended Gearshift Paddles.”

No changes are made to the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Nevertheless, when it’s time to win the track-day trophy, the properly equipped 720S driver can make best use of that engine with the McLaren Track Telemetry (MTT) system, which marries data-logging software to three video cameras around the car.

When it’s all assembled, adding equals subtracting: the £28,360 price (about $37,000) is less than the price of optioning Track Pack components individually, and returns a 47-kilo (53-pound) drop in curb weight. (And pushes total cost to about $293,000.) For our purposes, the 570S Track Pack added $20,615 in cost in 2016. Escalate that with a respectable premium for the march of time and the fact of the superior 720S. Or rather, have your private banker do the escalations, eh?

Related Video:

October 5, 2018 / Comments Off

833

McLaren divulges Ultimate Series Speedtail hypercar will make more than 986 hp

With as much as we know about the McLaren Speedtail, we’re still missing the finest, most important details. Now that hypercars are no longer unicorns but regularly released products, upper three- and four-digit horsepower figures need to be placed in the context of the segment and technical aspects to make the most impact. However, the latest morsel of news on the Speedtail is another step in the right direction. McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt told TopGear magazine at an owner’s club gathering that the next Ultimate Series champion would produce “more than 1,000 PS,” meaning at least 986 horsepower.

Flewitt would only say about the rest of the engine that it will employ a recognizable architecture and “a slightly different hybrid application” than in the P1. We’ll take that as euphemism for the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that features throughout the Sports and Super Series ranges, making 426 hp in the 570S GT4 and 710 hp in the 720S. The P1 used a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 making 727 hp, helped by an electric motor adding another 176 hp, for 903 in total.

We’re not sure how much any owner will feel the 83 hp difference between his P1 and his Speedtail, but Flewitt said the company’s focused “on attributes rather than engines.” What an owner will register is the Speedtail being much faster than the P1; the latter was limited to 217 miles per hour, the English automaker has already pledged the Speedtail will be the fastest-ever McLaren, which means eclipsing the 243 mph that the F1 achieved.

It’s likely that the 106 Speedtail owners will also note the three-seat coupe is more comfortable than both than its spiritual inspiration the F1, and the P1. Flewitt said his team’s developed a hypercar that’s “super comfortable, super to drive,” and a “better driving proposition” than some of the multi-million-dollar competition going for top speed records.

Speaking of top speed records, the McLaren Speedtail won’t be going for any. The horsepower wars might not be over, but when an Aston Martin road car makes 1,130 hp, the battle’s effectively been won by everyone who can take the field. Upstarts are turning their armaments on the physical walls of top speed, and Flewitt wants none of it. On Hennessey’s hunt for 300 mph with the Venom F5, Flewitt demurred, “I might come out with John and take the opportunity to do a high speed run with our car, but we’re not chasing a top speed for the sake of it,” adding that his Speedtail “is more rounded than that.”

McLaren’s latest wonder doesn’t start deliveries until next year, but we’ve heard there’ll be more Speedtail news coming in October.

Related Video:

August 30, 2018 / Comments Off

911

2018 McLaren 570S & 570GT

McLaren 570S & 570GT – Different Trim Levels Offer a Bespoke Experience

At the outset, the 570 models don’t look particularly dissimilar from each other, or anything else in the McLaren line up for that matter. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it would take a keen eye and knowledgeable enthusiast to distinguish it from its stablemates, of which it shares the same sleek design cues and carbon-tub chassis.

The S trim comes in a coupe and spider (convertible) configuration, while the GT is offered only in coupe format with a panoramic roof and modified rear glass hatch that offers additional storage space. The GT trim also offers a plethora of customizations which allow for custom paint schemes, interior detailing and even one-off builds and bespoke options via the MSO (McLaren Special Operations) department.

Features and Highlights

Engine

Both the S and GT employ the same mid-mounted 3.8L twin-turbo V8 powerplant – delivering 562-horsepower @ 7,500 rpm and 443 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000-6500 rpm to the rear wheels – which is mated to a 7-speed SSG (seamless-shift gearbox) transmission.

The engine has been praised for its linearity, and although peak numbers are achieved after 5,000 rpm, the car also has plenty of low-end grunt and responsiveness. The end result is a 0-62 mph time of just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph (S trim).

Chassis

Thanks to the use of McLaren’s infamous carbon-tub chassis, the 570S weighs in as little as 1,350 kg, with the spyder and GT trim being slightly heftier with the benefit of extra equipment.

Carbon-ceramic brake discs and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires come standard on all trim levels, and the aforementioned Sport Pack ($5,950 USD) exclusive to the GT, includes dynamic handling options which essentially give the GT an identical chassis setup to the S. Adaptive dampers allow the driver to control stiffness and rebound settings by offering Normal, Sport and Track modes.

Exterior

The 570 model, like all other McLarens, was designed to be aerodynamic perfection. The body is adorned with shrink-wrapped aluminum body panels, while the teardrop-shaped cockpit reduces drag and offers a one-off, McLaren-exclusive design cue.

The most notable stylings come in the form of the slimline ‘light blade’ LED tail lights, flying rear buttresses which seamlessly connect the roof to the rear, signature Dihedral doors, and contoured front nose.

The GT trim incorporates a higher rear lip spoiler compared to the S, with the most significant difference being that the GT has slightly taller roofline thanks to its panoramic roof and rear glass hatch which together, offer more stowage, headroom, luxury, and comfort.

Interior

A wide range of choices for colorways, designs, and finishes allows you to truly customize the interior for either of the trims.

The TFT Instrument Cluster and Intelligent Entertainment touchscreen continue to be the focal point of information relay, displaying vitals such as speed, engine rpm, gear selection, operating temperatures and infotainment controls.

For the audio system, a 4-speaker 240W and 8-speaker 320W setup comes standard in the S and GT respectively, with a Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker surround system optional for both trims.

Verdict

Producing supercars that can capably negotiate the demands of everyday, real-world driving are nothing new, nor exclusive to one marque – but it should be said that McLaren leads the industry in this regard.

We now live in an era where consumers expect their new supercar or hypercar to be as comfortable fetching groceries as it is at carving out the racetrack – one car for every occasion. Throughout the entire line-up, McLaren shows remarkable consistency and innovation in its implementation of this increasingly important parameter.

For the 570 line, the GT now offers the best of both worlds with the introduction of the Sport Pack option. With every new update and revision, McLaren inches closer to perfecting the “everyday supercar”, and the new 570 models are amongst the latest and greatest examples of this.

In my opinion, this should make the 570S and particularly the 570GT, one of the most desirable new supercars in this new-age market.

Specifications and Performance Summary

Pricing and Model Info

Make	McLaren
Model	570
Generation	2016 – Present
Sub-Model	S/GT
Car type	Coupe (S/GT) or Spyder (S)
Category	Series Production Car
Built At	Woking, England
Base Price (USD)	$191,100

Chassis and Powertrain

Curb Weight	1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) for S Coupe
Layout	Mid-engine
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel drive
Suspension	Specially tuned adaptive dampers and springs
Brakes	Lightweight composite brake system with aluminum hubs and iron discs
Engine	V8
Aspiration	Twin-turbocharged
Displacement	3.8 Litres
Transmission	7-Speed SSG
Tires	Pirelli P Zero Corsa

Engine Output

Power	562 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Power / litre	148 hp / litre
Power-to-weight ratio	5.30 lbs / hp
Torque	443 lb-ft @ 5,000-6,500 rpm

Performance

0-62 mph	3.4 seconds
0-124 mph	9.8 seconds
¼ mile	11.1 seconds @ 132 mph
Max speed (S coupe)	204 mph

Photo & Video Gallery

[embedded content] [embedded content] [embedded content]

August 27, 2018 / Comments Off

981

Novitec Reveals Upgraded McLaren 720S

What happens when you take the top performing supercar on the market today and let one of the best tuning companies have their way with it? Novitec is here to let us all know. On their latest project, the German tuning company decided to up the ante with a car that leaves nearly all its competitors in the dust. The McLaren 720S does not fall short on power without additional aftermarket modifications, by any means. If there’s anything to say about the British supercar, it’s that it is blisteringly quick. So its only makes sense to give it a Novice treatment, right?

As the name suggests, the standard McLaren 720S boasts 720 horsepower coming from a 4.0 litre V8 propelling the car from 0-200 km/h in 2.9 seconds, and keeping the fun going until 341 km/h. Now, Novitec places the 720S firmly in hypercar territory with a conversion that rockets it to 100km/h in just 2.7 sec, to 200km/h in 7.5 seconds, and on to a sensational 346km/h maximum speed. Bear in mind that all this is coming from a super series McLaren – that is to say not a limited ‘ultimate’ or ‘legacy’ series car that costs an arm and a leg. In fact, this kind of street legal performance usually comes at price tags above €1 million, whereas the 720S has an MSRP south of €300,000.

Novitec McLaren 720S

The options list for the 720S tune extends to a three-stage engine conversion programme for up to 806hp (592kW), along with 878Nm of torque, sport exhaust systems, carbon-fibre aerodynamic components, suspension upgrades, and the distinctive Novitec MC1 forged alloy wheels.

The available aero package includes headlamp inserts, a full width front spoiler with a more pronounced lip, air splitter, side fins and longer air intake surrounds to improve the channelling of ram air. All those external modifications are of course in carbon fibre. Completing the carbon-fibre madness is a set of optional and purely decorative components including the air intakes for the front bonnet, rear engine cover, rear bumper side trims, side air intakes, sill entrance panels, and door mirror caps.

Novitec hasn’t released a price for the tune yet, but we think it’ll worth the upgrade!

August 21, 2018 / Comments Off

733

First U.S. McLaren Senna has green carbon fiber body

The McLaren Senna is one of the hottest cars of 2018. Named after one of the greatest racing drivers, the British automaker’s latest and greatest is an immensely fast machine. It certainly looks the part, too, with a giant rear wing, shin walloping front splitter and all manner of other aero aids. Today, McLaren released a batch of images of the first car heading to North America, and it’s finished in one of the most beautiful shades of carbon fiber we’ve ever seen.

Some lucky owner in New York City will be taking delivery of a new Senna with emerald green bare carbon-fiber bodywork and a white-leather interior. The car, like all bespoke McLaren models, was customized through McLaren Special Operations. The car bares the MSO logo on the headrests. Nearly every exterior panel is finished in green. McLaren says the bodywork consists of 67 panels and takes nearly 1,000 hours to produce. Other exterior design touches include blue and red wheel locks and ball-polished wheels.

The Senna is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 789 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. It can hit 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and 124 mph in 6.8 seconds. There isn’t much mass to move around thanks to a dry weight of just 2,641 pounds.

Related Video:

July 18, 2018 / Comments Off

952

McLaren to go full hybrid by 2025 as part of plan for 18 new models and derivatives

A few months ago, McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt provided some insight on the future lineup at the English carmaker. He told Autocar we could expect the next generation of sportscars to feature hybrid powertrains and some measure of self-driving capability. In comments this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Flewitt appears to expand on and clarify a few aspects from the earlier report, based on updates to the company’s business plan. First, instead of the earlier report that the Super Series and Sports Series would go all by hybrid by 2022, that won’t actually be complete until 2025.

As with the ubiquitous 3.8-liter V8, a single hybrid powertrain will come in different outputs in different models. Flewitt wouldn’t confirm whether the hybrid would be based around a V6. He did say, however, that the system is “designed… to have more differentiation than we have had out of the current package,” and performance variety would come from tweaking the electric portion of the powerplant, not the ICE. He didn’t expand on that point, but that could mean a wider range of driving characteristics within each series, or a greater power spread between series’, or both. The carmaker’s working on batteries that can do 30 minutes of track use, suggesting a potent pack with a high degree of tunability.

The 2025 deadline for hybridization could be due to a rollout of 18 new models and derivatives. Right now, McLaren makes six cars, five in the entry-tier Sports Series, the lone 720S in the Super Series; we don’t count the Senna because it’s sold out. Even overhauling the entire lineup, and counting the BP23 and the P1 successor in 2025, that still leaves ten new and offshoot models in the next seven years. Whatever they are, they’ll help McLaren reach its increased target of 6,000 sales a year by 2025.

Flewitt also took the chance to swap the word “autonomy” for “augmentation” when speaking of future driver assistance technology. In the Autocar report, the CEO said the lineup would need autonomous features “designed in for safety, legislation, and emissions.” At Goodwood, he recast the driver aids as “‘augmentation’ technology,'” the focus on helping the driver be better behind the wheel instead of taking the wheel for him. “Imagine,” said COO Jens Ludman, “having a virtual coach who could show you how to improve on a track.”

Related Video:

July 15, 2018 / Comments Off

743

The New McLaren Longtail is Here!

News from Woking is that the new McLaren 600LT is out and about, ready to eat asphalt! With new carbon fiber body, a fixed wing, it got slightly longer but still looks cool. The 600 stands for 600 metric horsepower or 600PS. It has a twin-turbo V8 engine, pushing out… Well, 600 metric horses.

It’s iconic because only a select McLaren cars get the honor to be called a ‘Longtail’. Focused for track aerodynamics, a McLaren LT is all about speed and the driver. Bare bones fun, it’s going to be an epic car. We’re just so happy that McLaren is pushing out hit after hit in the last 5 years or so.

Decked out in carbon fiber everything, and integrated exhausts, the 600LT is bound to catch someone’s eye. It starts out at over $200,000 and good luck trying to get an allocation. Here’s what it looks like sideways,

[embedded content]

June 29, 2018 / Comments Off

780

McLaren Senna: Track Review – Carfection

Join Henry Catchpole at Estoril for some track time with the McLaren Senna Hypercar. Is it a brutal road car or a true racing car? Sit back and enjoy our track review.

[embedded content]

June 28, 2018 / Comments Off

717